Chapter 27: The Emperor’s Suspicion

“However, with Manchu and Mongol officials taking precedence, if Your Majesty were to favor the daughter of a Han official first, it might hurt the feelings of the old Manchu and Mongol ministers. Moreover, even among Han officials, the Sun family’s rank is not the highest.”

Consort Hua had said that Fucha was nothing more than a worthless fool.

What the Empress intended to discuss was Fucha, but upon hearing the last sentence, the Emperor immediately thought of the Shen family.

“Are you referring to… Noble Lady Shen?”

Compared to Consort Hua’s prophecy that Zhen Huan would one day influence the Great Qing, Shen Meizhuang’s sin seemed far less significant.

It was merely adultery.

And in the future.

When the Emperor first heard it, he was indeed shocked. But upon reflection afterward, he thought to himself: I am the Son of Heaven—how would these mere imperial consorts and concubines dare to commit adultery?

With Consort Hua’s mind, she was prone to believing rumors at the slightest hint. He had intended to use the Shen family to balance the Nian family’s power. In her previous life, she might have been misled by hearsay.

Even if it were true, it would be a matter for the future.

He was the Emperor—was he supposed to keep her untouched for another man?

If any signs of trouble emerged later, he could simply eradicate the Shen family along with it. That would show who dared to defile the imperial harem.

“Let it be her!”

With a clatter, Shen Meizhuang’s Green Head Plaque was turned over.

The Empress observed this and thought it was for the best. At least it would make Sun Miaoqing feel that everything was unfolding as she had known in her previous life, preventing her from becoming overly vigilant too soon.

That night, palace servants in every residence eagerly awaited the notice from the Jing Shi Fang.

Sun Miaoqing thought of the olive branch she had extended. The Emperor was a clever man—he would surely choose her.

Lvzhu and Hongqu helped Sun Miaoqing adjust her robes and smooth her hair.

As she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, she thought: No matter how beautifully I dress, for this first night of service, I’ll still be stripped naked, wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and sent to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As night fell, neither the Phoenix Carriage of Spring Favor nor anyone from the Jing Shi Fang appeared.

Her hopes unfulfilled, Sun Miaoqing couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

She suddenly recalled Consort Hua’s words: Have you ever tasted the bitterness of waiting from dusk till dawn?

“Your Grace, Your Grace!”

Zhou Ninghai rushed in from outside, limping.

His expression was frantic, stumbling as he moved.

Nian Shilan was playing chess with Songzhi.

Go was still somewhat challenging for her. She merely wanted to pass the time and had no desire to tax her mind. Besides, Songzhi and the others knew nothing about Go, so the mistress and servant were playing Gomoku instead.

Simple and easy to learn.

Without looking up, Nian Shilan said, “It’s just the Emperor summoning Noble Lady Shen. Is that worth such a fuss?”

Songzhi asked curiously in a sharp voice, “How did Your Grace know it was Noble Lady Shen?”

“I have divine foresight!” Nian Shilan raised an eyebrow, looking quite pleased with herself. She placed a piece and pointed, “Look, if this were Go, I would have captured your pieces right here.”

Songzhi replied generously, “If Your Grace wishes to capture them, you can do so now.”

“Rules are rules—how can we act recklessly? Your turn.”

“I never thought my Consort Hua would also speak of rules.”

The Emperor’s voice suddenly rang out, startling everyone in the hall.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

Nian Shilan stared fixedly at the Emperor. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, unable to hear her lively inner thoughts, felt somewhat uneasy instead.

He helped Nian Shilan to her feet with both hands. “What? Aren’t you pleased that I’ve come to you?”

These words instantly opened the floodgates of Nian Shilan’s inner thoughts.

[Hmph, aren’t you always forced to come here?]

[To appease the millions of soldiers at the border, for the peace and prosperity of the nation—how hard it must be for you.]

Nian Shilan’s inner monologue truly sounded as if it were squeezed out through her throat, dripping with sarcasm.

Then she suddenly turned fierce.

[You’re unhappy coming here, yet you still care whether others are happy to see you?]

[If you’re sick, go find a physician to treat you. Don’t come here to act crazy.]

She may not have read much, but she sure knows how to talk back quickly.

The Emperor: “…”

“Your Majesty, what are you saying? I long for Your Majesty to come every day. It’s just that tonight is the first night for the new consorts to serve, and as an old-timer in the palace, I dare not compete with the newcomers for favor.”

Nian Shilan happily linked arms with the Emperor and helped him sit down.

Hah, after living a second life, she’s finally learned to be two-faced and wear a mask.

The change was too abrupt. The Emperor: “…”

[The first night for the new consorts to serve, and you chose Shen Meizhuang’s nameplate, yet you come here to stir up resentment.]

[Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming. The Nian family holds great power, and you want to use the Shen family to balance it.]

[Honestly, why go through all this trouble? If you’re so wary of my brother, just recall him from the northwest.]

Mentioning her brother, Nian Shilan’s inner voice began to seethe with anger.

[I really don’t understand. My brother fought battles for you and defended the borders. How is it that he gained no reward and instead ended up treated as if we siblings had gouged out your heart and eaten it?]

Nian Shilan took a deep breath inwardly. The Emperor faintly sensed she was about to unleash something big. His hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly as he remarked casually:

“The moonlight is particularly beautiful tonight, and I found myself wandering to your palace.”

[Not a single word of truth comes out of your mouth. As if I’d believe you!]

After a pause, she remembered there was a second part to that phrase: [You old scoundrel, you’re rotten to the core!]

The Emperor looked up at Nian Shilan.

The fury in his small eyes was scattered by helplessness, speechlessness, irritation, and an unwarranted hint of expectation, making his emotions difficult to discern.

“Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that?”

Nian Shilan feigned shyness.

[What are you looking at? Your eyes are filled with vulgar things. My beauty is unparalleled in the world, far beyond your reach!]

[Go sleep with your Huanhuan, Meimei, Rongrong, and Qingqing!]

The Emperor, who had ascended the throne after the struggle among the nine princes, possessed no magnanimity when it came to certain matters:

Anyone who threatened his empire would meet only one end—

Death!

Something like being reborn with knowledge of the future was a major threat to the empire.

Before the Palace Selection, he had visited Yikun Palace for several consecutive days. Though he couldn’t extract any crucial information, all signs indicated that Consort Hua, despite being reborn, knew very little about court affairs.

Details were even harder to come by.

Of course, more importantly, her sole purpose in returning was to advise her brother and save the Nian family.

If, over these days, she had even once harbored a thought like killing the Emperor to avenge the Nian family of her past life, she would no longer be here tonight.

The Emperor still believed that Consort Hua held some genuine affection for him.

If she hadn’t cared, she wouldn’t harbor such deep resentment now.

Huanhuan, Meimei, Rongrong, Qingqing… Couldn’t this be considered jealousy?

After all, in her past life, he had betrayed her for the sake of the empire. What harm was there in letting her curse him a few times in her heart?

The world is unpredictable, changing in the blink of an eye. Even with rebirth, everything would not be the same as in her past life.

The Emperor firmly believed that as the Son of Heaven, he had the power to change the course of the world.

Sun Miaoqing was the best example.

Heaven had granted him the ability to hear the thoughts of the reborn, giving him the means to prevent repeating the mistakes of the past.

The Emperor took a deep breath, faintly sensing that the fragrance in the hall was off. Suspicion stirred within him.

“Your hall smells particularly fragrant.”

Nian Shilan’s face lit up with joy as she said, “The Huanyi Incense bestowed by Your Majesty, I light it every day.”

[The scent of ending your lineage—come a few more times, and it will poison you too.]

The Emperor carefully savored the aroma. “Why does it feel different from before?”

Different meant change, and change meant disobedience.

Trusting her and keeping her did not mean abandoning caution. The Emperor worried that Consort Hua might have developed unusual intentions, and his tone shifted accordingly.